ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles and Healing)

This week, Jyoti and Monica celebrate Lohri and discuss why the secret to a better year isn't just a resolution—it’s recognizing our worth, setting firm boundaries, and maybe adding a little more fiber to the mix. Come for the light-hearted sisterhood; stay for the big ideas that will empower your healing journey in the new year!

Have you ever made a choice—about your career, your relationship, or even your outfit—not because you wanted to, but because you were afraid of what "they" would say?In this episode of ROOH, Jyoti and Monica take a deep look back at the past year and the invisible shadow that follows so many South Asian women: the "Log Kya Kahenge" (LKK) Syndrome. We’re peeling back the layers on why we prioritize communal reputation over our own wellbeing. Tune in for tangible steps you can take to OWN your happiness!

Desi weddings have evolved so much over the years. This week, Monica and I take a trip down memory lane to talk about the simplicity of weddings back in the day and what truly mattered then versus now.Despite all the changes and the pressure for extravagance, we discuss why it’s so important to not lose sight of what actually counts: connection, honoring your vows, and the union of two people. We also share a few personal stories from our own big days—including one moment for me where things didn't go exactly as planned, but I chose to pivot anyway. There are plenty of laughs along the way, all with the message that you need to value your happiness and peace of mind above all else. Reclaim your day.

This week on ROOH, Monica and I are turning the microphone on ourselves and getting super real about the stuff we usually just talk about with our guests. We're "walking the walk" on vulnerability and sharing our own private struggles—everything from the chaos of career changes to that constant feeling of needing to balance everything as modern women. We also dive into how social media messes with our self-worth and why we all need simpler, more authentic friendships. Our big takeaway? Ditch the perfection and throw a messy pizza party!

Hey ROOH fam! This week, Monica and I are dishing out some sweet, sweet career truth with the incredibly inspiring Simmy, owner of 12th Avenue Bakery. Simmy skipped the typical South Asian career path and went all in on French pastries—but with a delicious, Indian-spiced twist. We're talking cardamom, rose, and saffron everything!This is a totally candid, light-hearted chat about what happens when you decide to bake your own way. How do you deal with the pressure? How do you actually make a bakery happen? Simmy shares her whole journey, proving that sometimes, the best recipe is the one you write yourself. You are definitely not alone if you’ve ever felt like your dreams were a little too unconventional!The Golden Biscuit 🍪: Simmy blesses us with the wisdom on how to turn a wild idea into a real career: research, internships, and taking that fearless first step. Trust us, you need this!

Welcome back to ROOH! This week, Monica and I are tackling a huge, and often complicated, topic for South Asian women: life in a joint family household.We know it's tough. Living under one roof often means balancing immense love and tradition with a real lack of privacy, which can definitely lead to stress and cultural trauma. We're going to get pretty honest about the daily struggles—from managing expectations to the challenge of setting boundaries when everyone is so close.Tune in as we share our candid perspective, validate those tricky feelings, and offer the practical, everyday "tidbits" on how we found a way to make it work. We talk compromise, communication, and the healing needed to carve out your own space and truly thrive with your in-laws.If you're living this reality, you are absolutely not alone. Let’s make room for ROOH (Rising Over Obstacles and Healing) together.

Guess who's back?! After a long hiatus, Monica is officially back in the ROOH studio, and we're neighbors again! In this week's chat, we’re diving into what it was actually like moving out of the big city, where Monica disappeared to, and how we finally ended up back in the same place. It's a fun, honest banter session about change, new chapters, and giving ourselves permission to just go for it.✨ Golden Biscuit: Life is short, friends. If you've been thinking about making a big change, starting that thing, or taking that leap... do it. Seriously, just do it.

Let's get real about one of the most difficult topics to talk about in the South Asian community: divorce. The stigma surrounding separation can feel paralyzing, but silence doesn't serve anyone. On this episode, we're cutting through the shame and sitting down with Matrimonial and Family Law Attorney Ravi Cattry! Ravi gives us a foundational, no-nonsense look at what it actually means to initiate a divorce. If you've ever wondered about the first steps, the necessary papers, or just need to understand your options, this conversation is for you. We’re validating your feelings, emphasizing that you are not alone, and equipping you with the basic legal knowledge you need to start navigating a new path forward.Ravi's Contact Information:Ravi Cattry, Esq. (She/Her)Vreeburg & Cattry PLLC80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 600Kew Gardens, NY 11415T: 718-544-9400F: 718-263-0134ravi@vclawny.comCRISIS SUPPORT & HEALING RESOURCES (Specifically for South Asians)Sakhi for South Asian Survivors -- Culturally-specific support, counseling, and advocacy services. (PH #: 212-868-6741)Manavi -- First organization in the US dedicated to ending violence against South Asian Survivors. (PH#: 732-435-1414)Kiran -- Serves South Asian families facing domestic violence and sexual assault. (PH#: 877-625-4726)

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes brief mention of suicidal thoughts. If you need help, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately. Please listen with care.This is it: the powerful final chapter of Sandeep's journey!She's been through the absolute most—a devastating arranged marriage, being disowned by her parents, and a painful second divorce. In this episode, Sandeep shares the truth she finally uncovered: happiness isn't something you find in a partner or family; it's something you build for yourself.Hear how she committed to the hard work of inner healing and self-acceptance to become the architect of her own peace. Now, she's stepping up as a "big sister" to help others. This is the ultimate lesson in empowerment and realizing that you are responsible for your own stability. Don't miss this beautiful conclusion.

The monster is finally out of Sandeep's life, she is now left to give birthto a baby by herself, grapples with suicidal thoughts and has to pickup the pieces of her life. As soon as she starts to gain someindependence and try to find her own happiness, she is basically kickedout of her home.A quick note for listeners: This episode discusses difficult topics, including a brief mention of suicidal thoughts. Please listen with care.

[CW: Explicit discussion of physical abuse and marital rape]Hey, ROOH listeners. This is the intense second chapter of Sandeep’s journey. In Part 2: Arranged to a Monster, Sandeep shares the devastating truth about her marriage, detailing the relentless physical abuse and sexual violence she suffered. She walks us through those darkest, most isolated moments, showing us exactly what it took for her to reach the turning point and choose her survival. This part is incredibly tough, but it's a powerful reminder that abuse is never the survivor’s fault. Her story is ongoing, so be sure to tune in for the next step of her fight.CRISIS SUPPORT & HEALING RESOURCESSouth Asian Specific ResourcesThese non-profit organizations offer culturally sensitive and language-specific support tailored to the unique challenges faced by South Asian survivors.Sakhi for South Asian Survivors Culturally-specific support, counseling, and advocacy services (NY-based, but offers help nationally).Helpline: 1 (212) 868-6741 Text: 1 (305) 204-1809 Manavi First organization in the US dedicated to ending violence against South Asian survivors (New Jersey-based, with broad reach).24/7 Multilingual Hotline: 1 (732) 435-1414 Kiran Serves South Asian families facing domestic violence and sexual assault (North Carolina-based, with broad resources).24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-877-NC-KIRAN (625-4726) South Asian Network (SAN) Community-based organization offering domestic violence and legal support (Southern California-based).For local resources/legal: southasiannetwork.org

Get ready to pull up a chair for a deeply personal story. This week, we’re kicking off a huge multi-part series with our guest, Sandeep. She came to the U.S. when she was just a little kid, and from day one, the pressure was intense to stay totally true to her Indian roots, which meant living under a super strict household while trying to grow up American.For Sandeep, "no dating" wasn't a suggestion—it was the law. So when her folks found out she was just talking to a guy? That was it. They packed her bags, flew her straight back to India, and suddenly, she was being married off to a total stranger.This first part of her story is all about that rigid upbringing and the absolute whirlwind of a forced wedding that changed her life overnight. Tune in, because trust us, you need to hear this one and realize you are so not alone.

Ever feel like your South Asian parents just couldn't say "I love you," or talk about what they were really feeling? You are definitely not alone! This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are sitting down to get honest about that emotional wall many of us grew up with. We’re discussing why that lack of openness is so common—maybe it’s connected to intergenerational trauma—and sharing exactly how we can finally stop passing that unexpressed love down to the next generation. It’s time to break the cycle and teach ourselves how to feel and talk about it all.

This week on ROOH, Sharin and I are talking about the comments that sting. You know the ones—the ones that are supposedly "just a joke" or "meant well." We'll be tackling those seemingly harmless remarks that cut deep, especially when they're about your weight, your career, or your family. Join us as we unpack the hidden harm in these words and share our stories, reminding each other that it's okay to feel hurt and that your feelings are valid. Let's create a space where we can heal from these everyday wounds, together.

This week on ROOH, we're talking about the lasting effects of a toxic marriage. Our guest shares her story of growing up with parents who stayed together for appearances, only to divorce and send her away at a young age. She opens up about how that experience shaped her, leading to anxiety, a habit of people-pleasing, and abandonment issues.But this isn't a sad story. It's about finding the strength to heal from the past and intentionally build a better, happier future on your own terms.

Get ready to dig in to a seriously good conversation! In this week's episode of ROOH, we're sitting down with the incredible Meena Singh, a nutritionist who has been helping people for over twenty years. We're talking about how food, love, and the pressure to eat everything on your plate intersect in South Asian culture. Meena is sharing tips for a healthier, happier you, proving that nourishing your body doesn't mean giving up on your favorite flavors. So, grab a cup of chai and get ready to rewrite your relationship with food, one story at a time.

In this episode of ROOH, I sit down with my mother-in-law for a heartfelt conversation about happiness across the generations. We reflect on what brought her joy when she was growing up, and how the definition of happiness has changed over time. We also dive into the pressure to always want "more" in today's social media-driven world and what it truly means to find lasting contentment. Join us as we explore the wisdom of a woman who has found profound peace in life's simple joys.

Hey, ROOH family!This week, we're sharing a really tough but important conversation. We're joined by a guest who bravely shares her anonymous story about something that happened to her as a kid—being inappropriately touched by a trusted adult.This is a story that, sadly, so many of us can relate to. We talk about how hard it is to speak up in our culture, how to heal from that kind of betrayal, and why it's so important to remember you're never, ever alone in your struggle.Heads up: This episode talks about sexual abuse and might be hard to hear. Please listen when you're in a good space and take care of yourself. If you need support, there are resources listed below.Resources:RAINN: 1-800-656-HOPENational Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPEThe Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI)

On this episode of ROOH, we're talking about a difficult but important topic: why we often stay silent when we've been wronged. Monica and I share personal stories about when we froze and stayed silent instead of confronting the perpetrator, and we'll explore the complex emotions behind that silence—from fear to societal pressure. We'll end the episode with a powerful message for a new generation: a "golden biscuit" on how we can empower our daughters to be strong, independent, and always ready to find their roar.

Ready for a glow-up? This week, we're diving into the world of skincare with Dr. Rimy Grewal, a fellow South Asian woman and medical aesthetics expert. From the turmeric masks our grandmas swore by to the latest clinical treatments, she's breaking down what works, what doesn't, and how to get that radiant skin you've always wanted. Get ready for an honest, no-filter chat about all things desi beauty.Dr. Rimy Grewal can be contacted at rimyg@thelouisvilleaesthetics.comSunscreen recommendations: https://www.laroche-posay.us/our-products/sunscreen/tinted-sunscreen/anthelios-mineral-tinted-sunscreen-for-face-with-spf-antheliosmineraltintedsunscreen.htmlhttps://www.ourself.com/products/mineral-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-50-copyhttps://eltamd.com/collections/100-mineral-active-ingredients/products/uv-pure-broad-spectrum-spf-47